Learning Guides: Immigrant Resources: Resources

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In Louisville, there are a couple of organizations that can assist you in with immigration related issues.

KCTCS Student Legal Resources
KCTCS has compiled a list of legal resources and suggestions for students. There is a section dedicated to immigration. Note: You will need to use your KCTCS login to access these resources.
Americana Community Center
Americana Community Center provides holistic services to Louisville's refugee, immigrant, and underserved populations to build strong and healthy families, create a safe and supportive community and help individuals realize their potential.
Catholic Charities of Louisville
Catholic Charities of Louisville offers social service ministries including immigration legal services, migration and refugee services.
Kentucky Refugee Ministries
Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc. (KRM), a non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing resettlement services to refugees through faith- and agency-based co-sponsorship in order to promote self-sufficiency and successful integration into our community.

We have gathered a couple of online resources that can help you determine your rights as an immigrant in America.

National Immigration Law Center: Know Your Rights
This page provides proactive steps that can be taken if a raid occurs. It also has a link to printable "Know Your Rights" cards.
Higher Ed Immigration Portal
The Higher Ed Immigration Portal provides information for undocumented, international, immigrant, and displaced students. There is detailed policy information by state that help you learn more about local policies.
Family Safety Plan
La Casita Center has developed a workbook that helps families organize a plan to be prepared for any emergency. This can be especially useful if interacting with immigration officials. There is also a Spanish version of the Family Safety Plan.
ACLU: Know Your Rights
This lists possible scenarios related to immigrant rights and suggestions for interacting with law enforcement.
Asylum & Temporary Protected Status: Should I Apply for One or the Other or Both?
This resource offers information explaining detailed differences between asylum and temporary protected status.
Immigration Policy Tracking Project
This resource tracks updates in policies related to immigration. You can filter the results to focus on enforcement, humanitarian, visas, citizenships and more. Alternatively, you can filter by agency or type of administrative action. This website includes an overview of proposals and all related legal documents.

The language surrounding immigration and sometimes be confusing. We've created the following glossary to help:

Asylum - Asylum is a legal protection for people who have been persecuted in the past or fear harm in the future in their home countries.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) - A person with DACA status is someone who was brought to the United States as a minor and is granted permission to live, attend school, and work here indefinitely.
Dreamers - Dreamers is the term used to refer to undocumented students and people with DACA. The acronym comes from the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act which provides a path to legal residency.
Green Card - A green card is issued to lawful permanent residents. Green card holders can live, work, and in some cases receive benefits in the United States.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) - TPS can be granted to individuals as a form of relief to people from countries experiencing natural disasters or armed conflicts.
Undocumented - Undocumented people live and work in the United States without a legal status.

Visa Types:

F-1 - a student visa for attending grade school through higher education and allows international students to stay in the United States while working in a field related to their degree.
H-1B - a temporary, nonimmigrant visa for "specialty occupations" for employees in fields like math, engineering, technology, technology, and medical sciences.
J-1 - a visa for people in work and study exchange programs like professors and graduate workers. The spouses and children of individuals with a J-1 visa can receive a J-2 visa.
M-1 - a student visa for vocational or other nonacademic training.